To Wear Or Not To Wear

For our second Action Project in A Nations Argument course, we were tasked to focus on our school’s Code of Conduct. Were challenged to pick a rule that we thought was unjust and create an argument about it. We also had to try and plot concepts we learned, while looking for contradictions and fallacies. The purpose of this project is to reinstate rules to make our school’s goals for the future stronger. During this class, I learned about syllogisms, premises, and conclusions and also the art of argument. I also learned that by being more straightforward with inductive premises your arguments can be sound and you can win more. Over the course, we visited a couple of court cases and tomorrow we will be welcoming a public defender and a state's attorney. This will definitely be a cool experience. We will ask questions and gain as much knowledge as possible about laws, arguments and unconstitutional topics. Below is my amendment, hope you enjoy it.

Daily Mail Online, Associated Newspapers, 13 Dec. 2015,

Above is a picture of a seventh-grade boy who was banned from wearing his Star Wars shirt to school because it has a gun on it. I'm arguing that he should be able to wear the shirt because it's his right to express himself and also guns aren't bad. People who use them decided to do unjust things with them giving a not so good look.

GCE Dress Code

GCE Lab School staff and students strive to create a community that does not judge people based on their dress or fashion, but which values individuality. Students are encouraged to dress in a manner which reflects their individuality and self-expression. At the same time, clothing reflects the educational environment and therefore should not be offensive, provocative, or disruptive to instruction. All students are expected to dress and groom themselves neatly and modestly in clothes that are appropriate for an academic environment. “Inappropriate” includes clothing that is designed to be erotic or suggestive of violence, clothing that reveals underwear or excessive flesh.

This rule is unjust because it doesn’t fully allow self-expression the way students need and want. This is a need because humans have a tendency to reflect on mood. We are social creatures, well most of us are. This isn't just me saying this it's scientifically proven. Mood boost increases the change that you may be wanting to reflect in your school or institution. When you're feeling upset or bad about yourself, your clothes have the power to boost your mood and change your attitude. Clothes actually tell a story about your character and by not allowing representation of yourself it hurts your mood and vibe.

This can lead to depression and harm to yourself or others.

I understand that school is a place to learn but when restricting someone’s freedoms of expression it can be drastic to one’s self and personality. Students should be allowed to wear what they please as long as it’s not too much skin or something you wouldn’t put on in front of your parents. School board, Perspectives students and donors contribute to this fine school and by allowing a student to just dress anyway can ruin the reputation of GCE. I understand that.

Syllogism
P1- Students should be able to wear clothes they want
P2- Clothes are cool and great when showing others
Conclusion: Let’s allow us, teenagers, to decide what we should wear.

My new amendment will change the original one by allowing students to have more freedom of expression when wearing clothes. This includes guns, drugs, and nudity. My amendment will conclude that on days where there might be guests or FEs students are absolutely required to dress in a unique professional fashion. Other than that individual choice should be an option for students.

Syllogism with a further investigation into why my amendment is possible.

P1- Students should be able to wear clothes they want
P2- Clothes allow individuality
P3- Attire preserves one’s self-expression
P4- Clothes depicts your identity
P5- Adding rules under circumstances of dress code differs passion for what a person might be proud or ambitious about 

Conclusion: Students shouldn't have restrictions on any fashion or trend at school unless it goes against GCEs visions. 

Clothes are the needles that thread creativity for future generations and now. By shedding light on the adolescent’s perspective it can be beneficial to the goals of the school and the individual. By allowing people to wear what they please increases the chance for people to open up and be a part of a bigger cause and school community. A lot of people don’t feel comfortable as the next person may feel, it’s all about coming to an understatement. Even if that understanding is to disagree.

Because of my new proposed amendment life here at G.C.E will be more vibrant and social. People’s clothes will spark conversations for our Soapboxes and regular days. Views of whatever gender will be expressed even if others may disagree. Even if you wanted to support the Presidential Election and you happen to wear a MAGA hat it wouldn’t be banned or scorned upon. Somethings are offensive I get, but little things will only make us grow stronger together if we start that dialogue. My amendment sets the bar for self-love and joy. Clothes do a lot, they tell a story and represent you. The “real you”.

The Constitutional amendment relates to my amendment because it represents freedom of speech and this means you have the right to express yourself through, religion assembly and petition. Freedom of speech also comes with the right to express one’s opinions without the fear of censorship or restraint.

This U.S. amendment supports my amendment because it contradicts what our student handbook says. It states that GCE does not judge people based on their dress or fashion, but which values individuality. Students are encouraged to dress in a manner which reflects their individuality and self-expression. Then later goes on to say, “clothes that are appropriate for an academic environment” and list things that are inappropriate. So how can we decipher what’s appropriate and what’s not so students can decide for themselves. My amendment demonstrates true citizenship by allowing people to thrive and create a prosperous community in whatever way they may desire. Without censorship.

Quote from my peer that supports my argument and its impact

Quote: “Clothes can affect the school positively by encouraging different styles and trends, also students should wear what they wanna wear.”

Speaker: N.L

                               3/12/20 

Three cases that have gone against people's first amendment right. These are cases that are unconstitutional and unjust for students at school or in any formal institution.

1. Seventh-grader wearing Star Wars t-shirt is told by school administrators that it is BANNED 'because it has a gun on it'

Dailymail.com, Myriah Towner For. “Texas Student Banned from Wearing Star Wars t-Shirt 'Because It Has a Gun on It'.” Daily Mail Online, Associated Newspapers, 13 Dec. 2015, www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3358570/Texas-seventh-grader-banned-wearing-Star-Wars-t-shirt-gun-it.html.

2. Student sues Wis. high school over dress code that bars him from wearing a shirt with a gun image
Wjrt. “Student Sues Wis. High School over Dress Code That Bars Him from Wearing Shirt with Gun Image.” ABC12, www.abc12.com/content/news/Student-sues-Wis-high-school-over-dress-code-that-bars-him-from-wearing-shirt-with-gun-image-568121681.html.

3. California school changes policy after banning shirt with gay message
“California School Changes Policy after Banning Shirt with Gay Message.” Al Jazeera America, america.aljazeera.com/articles/2016/2/17/california-school-to-change-policy-after-banning-gay-t-shirt.html.